Travis Austin gives old clothing a "rock star" makeover

Article and Video by Jessika Hardy

Travis Austin walks to his desk where a lighter, knife, and a sharp pair scissors await him. He spreads a vintage jacket along the wood and sets it a flame. Then, at just the right moment he puts the fire out. As the smoke clears, a tiny smile begins to form around the edges of his mouth. He's just added another addition to his 'rock star' clothing.

​Inspired by his love for Oak Cliff musician Stevie Ray Vaughan, Austin moved his store, Travis Austin Customs, to Dallas a little over eighteen months ago. 

​“I came to Oak Cliff specifically for that reason alone,” Austin said. “I wanted that artist connection to Stevie — right where he grew up.”

​Since starting his business a little over four years ago, he's designed custom pieces for many of Dallas' breakout stars including Bobby Sessions, Leon Bridges, and  Ryan Cabrera.

​“[We] really just talk to them as an artist, the stories they want to tell, where they’re at in their career and where they want to go, style-wise,” Austin said. “If I can take that attitude and that style — that confidence — and sew it into all my clothing, that’s rock star clothing.”